The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-03-03
Mexican War Veterans.
Commissioner Black has issued the


lowing circular addressed to the survivors
of the Mexican war:
Mol. The first group of conditions which
sixty days in the military or naval service of
the United States in Mexico, or on the coast OF
frontier thereof, or en- route thereto, in the
with that nation. and is siXty-two years of age,
is disabled or dependent.
No. 2. The second group of conditions which
will entitle q claimant to pension is that the
claimant was actually engaged in battle with
the enemy in that war, and s sixty-two years
of age, or is disabled or is dependent. The
length of service is not an essential element in
this group of conditions.
No. 3. The third group OF conditions which
will entitle claimant to pension is that the
claimant was personally named in resolution
of Congress for some specific service in said war
is dependent. The length of service is not an
essential element in this group of conditions.
The salts factory establishment by competent
proof, of the existence of any one OF the torego-
ing groups of conditions, coupled, again let it
be said, with the proof OF enlistment and hon
the pension provided by said act. Nothing less
win suffice and nothing more is necessary.
You may be entitled to pension upon more
Than one of the groups of conditions stated in
the law, and there is no objection to your spe-
cifying all of the reasons that exist in your
for a claim to pension. Such facts, however,
will not entite you to any greater pension than
the amount specified in the law for single
You are therefore requested to take this de-
claration, examine it carefully, and use SO
in the various blanks in said declaration which
are true in youl case, and erasing the remain
ing clauses of said declaration.
EXECUTION.
The claimant for pension must In every case,
where he can reach q clerk of a court of record
personally appear before that clerk of the court
of record and take the oath fixed to the decla-
ration and his signature must be witnessed by
two competent and reliable persons in the
neighborhood, and witnesses, if possible, also
to the facts set up in his declaration,
In cases where the claimant is not able by
raa IF 10 intjrmjjv val n n
court of record, then tue oath may be executed
before any officer competent under the laws of
the State in which the claimant resides, or
under the laws of the United States, to execute
atidavits for general purposes but the execu-
ton of the oath before any other than the clerk
OF a court of record is not allowed except in the
case pointed out by the law where the claimant
cannot, on account of infirmity of age. reach
the officer having charge of the seal of the court
and the oath ofinfirmity must also be executed
IDENTITY
The most essential point for establishment in
cases that may arise under the Act of January
20, 1887 is the question of the identity of the
claimant with the soldier on account of Wh ose
services pension is claimed. Record evidence
exists of matters of service, ETC., in the War
Department and in the Bureau of Pensions
The question of Identity will be one of controu-
ing moment ana theretore special attention n,
first application, and to the end that the officer
may be aided in determining this and other
questions blank forms OF atfidavitS and Oaths
for neigilb ors and comrades have been prepar-
ed and are forwarded herewith. These must be
executed under the same solemnities and with
the same degree OF care as is the declaration OF
the claimant. The officer attesting will be re-
quired to attest his knowledge OF the witnesses
their credibillty and standing.
1t Is believed that if these instructions are
carefully studied and closely followed, claims
for pensions arising under the act may be spec
Oily adjudicated and you are again urged to
exercise great care in the filling of the blanhs
and in the striking out of the unnecessary allie
cations prepared in the blank affidavit.